"This guide details basic information and common procedures for individuals performing research with hamsters and gerbils, including duties of animal facility management, animal husbandry, regulatory compliance, and technical procedures." "Features: assists in the humane care and use of hamsters and gerbils in the laboratory; provides quick, easy-to-use information for investigators, technicians, and animal caretakers; includes references to alternative procedures and methods; and offers possible sources and suppliers of animals, feed, sanitation supplies, cages, and research and veterinary supplies."--BOOK JACKET.

Important Biological Features --Hamsters -- Origin of the Hamster -- Hamster Breeds -- Hamster Behavior -- Anatomic and Physiologic Features of Hamsters -- Gerbils -- Origin of the Gerbil -- Gerbil Breeds -- Gerbil Behavior -- Anatomic and Physiologic Features of Gerbils -- Normative Values of the Hamster and Gerbil -- Husbandry -- Housing -- Macroenviornment Considerations -- Room Construction Features -- Microenvironment/Caging Considerations -- Cage Size Standards -- Cage Materials and Design -- Environmental Conditions -- Environmental Enrichment -- Nutrition -- Cage Sanitation Practices -- Cage Cleaning Frequency -- Special Circumstances -- Methods of Cage Sanitation -- Animal Room Sanitation -- Sanitation Quality Control -- Transportation -- Animal Receipt -- Record Keeping -- Health Records -- Census -- Work Records -- Breeding -- Hamsters -- Gerbils -- Management -- Regulatory Agencies and Compliance -- Occupational Health and Zoonotic Diseases -- Bacteria -- Other Occupational Health Issues -- Parasites -- Viruses -- Experimental Biohazards -- Veterinary Care -- Veterinary Supplies -- The Physical Examination -- Quarantine, Stabilization, and Acclimation -- Common Clinical Problems -- Diseases of Hamsters -- Bacterial Diseases -- Viral Diseases -- Parasitic Diseases -- Ectoparasitic Arthropods -- Miscellaneous Diseases -- Common Diseases of Gerbils -- Bacterial Diseases -- Viral Diseases -- Parasitic Diseases -- Miscellaneous Diseases and Conditions -- Drug Dosages for Hamsters and Gerbils. Disease Prevention Through Sanitation -- Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Sedation -- Principles of General Anesthesia -- Administering Anesthesia -- Stages of Anesthesia -- Assessment of Anesthetic Depth -- Postanesthetic Monitoring -- Characteristics of Commonly Used Injectable Anesthetics -- Principles of Gas Anesthesia -- Preanesthetic Management -- Premedication, Sedation, Tranquilization, and Chemical Restraint -- Aseptic Surgery -- Asepsis -- Operating Room Procedures -- Patient Preparation -- Surgical Site Preparation -- Surgeon Preparation -- Basic Surgical Techniques -- Surgical Principles to Promote Wound Healing -- Wound Closure -- Complications of Wound Healing -- Guidelines for Selecting Sutures -- Sutures for Closure of Incisions -- Organ and Tissue Sutures -- Suture Needles -- Suturing -- Surgical Knot Tying -- Suture Removal -- Postoperative Management of Pain -- Analgesia -- Postoperative Care of Animals -- Euthanasia -- When to Euthanize an Animal -- Guidelines for Recognizing Morbid and Moribund Animals -- Signs of Morbidity (Disease or Illness) in Animals -- Selected Criteria for Euthanasia of Moribund (Dying) Animals -- Common Methods of Euthanasia -- Barbiturate Overdose -- Inhalant Anesthesia -- Physical Methods -- Experimental Methodology -- Hamster Handling and Restraint -- Methods for Picking a Hamster Up -- Hamster Restraint -- Gerbil Handling and Restraint -- Sample Collection -- Blood Collection Sites -- Blood Volume -- Blood Collection Vials -- Blood Collection -- Urine and Feces Collection. Test Article/Compound Administration -- Parenteral Route -- Oral Route -- Water and Food -- Implantable Osmotic Pumps -- Necropsy -- Equipment -- Technique -- Organizations -- Publications -- Electronic -- Purchasing Hamsters and Gerbils -- Feed -- Cages, Research, and Veterinary Supplies.